Buffalo Fire Displaces Family of Seven

BUFFALO, NY - A family of seven escaped heavy smoke and flames after fire broke out in their Lovejoy neighborhood duplex.

Flames broke out around 4 a.m. Tuesday at 141 Benzinger Street.

Two adults and five children, one of them disabled, escaped the flames.

A neighbor who lived in a rear apartment was missing for most of the morning. Division Chief Don McFeely tells 2 On Your Side that the building's owner was able to locate the woman. She was staying at a friend's house.

Smoke from the blaze permeated into Buffalo Public School #43 after the fire knocked out a few windows. The school was closed Tuesday as a result of the fire. The school sustained around $1,000 in damage.

The Red Cross tells 2 On Your Side that they will be assisting the family of seven.

Fire officials say the home is a total loss and estimate the damages at $100,000. Another home at 139 Benzinger sustained $15,000.